Dramatic Treatments Can Give Dramatic Results
Full-surface ablative laser resurfacing treatments can dramatically improve fine lines, “crepey” skin, sun damage, and texture. One area of the face often looks older than the rest and improving that area alone may take ten years off your appearance.
The difference between full-surface resurfacing and fractionated laser resurfacing is that full-surface laser resurfacing vaporizes a customized depth of skin over the entire treated area versus just a percentage. Your body replaces the vaporized skin with smooth, tighter, younger skin. Full-surface laser resurfacing with an erbium laser has fewer risks of complications than with a CO2 laser.
With aggressive treatments like full-surface laser resurfacing, it’s important to have it done by a skilled, experienced clinician. Dr. Elliott has done over 1,010 laser resurfacing treatments since 2007 and was a physician trainer for Cutera Lasers. With her background in emergency and trauma medicine, she’s comfortable managing any potential complications of any esthetic treatment.
Full-field resurfacing can be done over the entire face but is often only needed where the skin is especially damaged or crinkly, such as around the eyes or mouth. It’s often combined with fractionated ablative laser resurfacing to other areas.
What to Expect with Laser Resurfacing
Depending on the area of the face treated, anesthesia may consist of a combination of topical anesthetic cream and/or injected anesthetic, nitrous oxide, and oral pain medicine if you have someone to drive you home.
If it’s determined that you’re a good candidate for full-field laser resurfacing, provide us with your pharmacy phone number and we’ll call in prescriptions for anti-viral and pain medicine so that you don’t have to go to a pharmacy after your treatment.
When the procedure is finished, the treated area feels very hot so cold dressings are applied and reapplied until the areas cool down. A soothing, moisturizing dressing is then applied before you go home. The treated area will feel sunburned and uncomfortable for the first few days and there will be some weeping and possibly swelling, depending on the depth of treatment. We provide all the post-treatment supplies you’ll need, including a mild cleanser, laser balm, and even a disposable pillowcase.
Redness in the treated areas lasts for weeks to sometimes months, depending on the depth of treatment and your skin type. Post-resurfacing redness tends to last longest in people with very fair complexions. Green-tinted concealers work to conceal redness best and can be used as soon as the thick moisturizer is no longer needed.
Most patients can return to work and social activities about 6 days after full-field laser resurfacing around the eyes. Because the skin around the mouth is thicker than the eyes, it can take up to ten days of social downtime. Strict sun protection is necessary for at least 3 months after facial laser resurfacing. Our estheticians will provide you with at-home skin care recommendations to help maintain your results indefinitely.
How long do the results last?
When old skin has been replaced with new skin, it’s like turning back the clock. The new skin begins aging again at the same rate as before, but as if it was from an earlier age, with improvement that lasts for years.
Prices for full-field laser resurfacing start at $875 for the eyes to $1,975 for the full face.
If you’re interested in learning more about if a Laser Skin Resurfacing treatment is a good option for you, schedule a free consultation online or call us at 727-571-1923.
